What principle is at the core of operant conditioning?

The principle at the core of operant conditioning is the alteration of behavior through rewards and punishments. This behaviorist theory, developed by B.F. Skinner, emphasizes how the consequences of a behavior influence the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. When a behavior is followed by a reward, it is more likely to be repeated, while if it is followed by a punishment, it is less likely to occur again.

Operant conditioning focuses on the idea that behaviors are modified based on the outcomes they produce; positive reinforcement increases the frequency of a behavior by providing a desirable consequence, while negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by removing an unpleasant stimulus. Punishment, on the other hand, serves to decrease the likelihood of a behavior being repeated by introducing an aversive consequence or removing a pleasant stimulus.

This concept is foundational in understanding how behaviors can be shaped over time, which is essential for areas such as education and behavioral therapy. Other concepts such as observational learning, trial and error, and association of stimuli are not the primary focus of operant conditioning but belong to different psychological theories or processes.